London Pavilion
1 Piccadilly Circus,
London,
W1J 0DA
1 Piccadilly Circus,
London,
W1J 0DA
4 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 31 comments
Dr. No. World Premiere
Dr. No world premiere 04 Oct 1962, Thu Evening Standard (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com
I remember working there as an usher in 1976,tearing tickets in the balcony. The staff rooms were back stage in the old dressing rooms. It was great to go back on to the disused stage behind the screen which was all intact and full of atmosphere of its past history as a theatre.
August 1945 V-J Day celebration photo in Getty Images link below.
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/service-people-and-londoners-crowd-in-to-piccadilly-circus-news-photo/80748019?irgwc=1&esource=AFF_GI_IR_TinEye_77643&asid=TinEye&cid=GI&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=TinEye&utm_content=77643
Such a cool place…saw The Wilby Conspiracy here in 75 and I’m guessing something here earlier than that
The opening night as a cinema was Wednesday 5 September 1934. The feature was ‘The Private Life of Don Juan’ starring Douglas Fairbanks.
When I was in London this was playing King Kong(Jan ‘77 I believe). I had no interest in seeing the film so I didn’t go in. How I regret it! What a façade it had and I love the Yellow Submarine.
The cinema also screened Tom Jones, which had a long run there.
the Pavilion (or what is left of it) and local area is total tat now and decaying badly .It is a real shame the lanlords cant get rid of the cheap shops and rubbish outlets and refurbish this magnificent grade 2 listed building.
1939 photo added credit S&G Barratts.
Photo added of presentation at the Pavilion to accompany the post of MoviesWithDad on 1st July 2014. Not well received critically, the Pavilion showing lasted a mere 10 days, from 19 March to 1st April, 1970
1949 photo added courtesy of Richard Thurbin.
I just added a color 1964 photo from the “A Hard Day’s Night” premiere, courtesy of the Vintage Point Facebook page.
Loved the BEATLES history and of Course,007 ad.
What a history of this theatre.
A picture of the facade during the 3D run of “It Came from Outer Space” in
View link
a press ad from dec 1979 for MOONRAKER at the London Pavilion
http://www.flickr.com/photos/woody1969/4701673160/
A vintage photograph of the London Pavilion in 1946:
View link
“Rock Around the Clock” at the London Pavilion, photographed in July 1956:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/allhails/2813393913/
A night-time photograph of “Baby Doll” in January 1957:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/allhails/2821646850/
Worked here for a fortnight in the mid 70’s. Feature was one of the latest Pink Panther films doubled with “A Shot In The Dark”. I was assigned to the top balcony, which had no foyer, so was forced to sit through this double-feature for 8 hours a day! We had 2 x 20 minute breaks per shift which involved going down 2 storeys to the stalls foyer,walking the length of the stalls to a side entrance of the stage, walking behind the screen and then climbing an old metal spiral staircase for another 4 storeys to reach the tea room. Of course, after completing this marathon, it was time to turn back and return to your assigned work position!
I also recall an alarming keystone affect of the screen, due to the steep throw from the bio-box which was situated at the back of the top circle.
Atmospheric photo from 1960-you also get the British weather!
View link
Two shots from 1988 of the Pavilion:–
View link
View link
I saw a ‘Horror’ double bill here – Burnt Offerings & Rollerball.
On a school trip!
recent nightime shot
View link
Our family visiting from Boston were lucky to come here in the summer of 1968 to see The Beatles in their cartoon, “Yellow Submarine,” only a few days after its world premiere. The cinema had a nice big screen and a good sound system. I agree that it was preferable when the building had bright neon lights on it, like Times Square in New York. There is a time and place for everything, and restoring this building to its original look is not worth the effort since Piccadilly Circus is known for its neon lights around the world and as the original center of entertainment in London. That area has now moved to Leicester Square.
It is now a complete waste, empty shops that nobody wants in the middle of a great City like London, That is devolpment!!!???/